Steering mechanism for ships.



G. A. HEflNZE. STEERING MECHANISM FOR SHIPS.

APPLICATION 'Hum FEB. 11. 1914.

Patented Apr. 20, 1915.

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smart srans rarsnr orrrcn GUSTAV A. HEINZE, 01F REDLAND, FLORIDA, ASSIGINOR OF ONE-EIGHTH TO FRANK I. BERNECKER AND ONE-EIGHTH T0 HERMAN RUTZKE, OF BEDLAND, FLORIDA.

STEERING MECHANISM FOR SHIPS.

Application filed February 11, 1914.

T0 aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GUSTAV ADoLr HEINZE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Redland, in the county of Dads and State of Florida, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Steering Mechanism for Ships, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to certain improvements in ships and has relation more particularly to the steering mechanism therefor; and the object of the invention is to provide a steering mechanism of a novel and improved character wherein coacting rudder plates are positioned at the bow and stern of the ship body whereby the direction of travel of the ship may be controlled with greater convenience and facility and whereby the ship is prevented from being turned out of its course by the action of the wind.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts whereby certain important advantages are attained and the device is rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient and advantageous for use, all as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The novel features of the invention will be carefully defined in the appended claim.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a view in top plan of a somewhat diagraphic nature illustrating the steering mechanism constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention; and Fig. 2 is a view in side elevation of the device as illustrated in Fig. 1.

As disclosed in the accompanying drawings, 1 denotes the body or hull of a boat which may be of any ordinary or preferred construction and having projecting therefrom at the bow and stern and below the water-line, the vertically alined spaced rods 2 and. 3 terminating in advance of the adjacent extremity of the hull or body 1 a predetermined distance and having their outer extremities provided with suitable bearings or mountings 9 for the vertically disposed rudder shafts 4.

The inner extremity of the lower rod 2 is fastened, as at 5, in any conventional way Specification of Letters Patent.

erative position 111 the Patented Apr. 2d, 1915.

Serial No. 818,160.

to the body or hull of the ship, or more par ticularly the keel 6 thereof. I prefer that the adjacent portion of the keel be recessed, as at 7 to receive such connected extremity of the rod 2 so that the rod is disposed substantially in continuity with the keel. The upper rod 3 is disposed within the body or hull 1 and is secured or maintained in 010- same manner as a mast is secured to a ship and as indicated at 8.

Connected to each of the rudder shafts 4 is the rudder plate 10 of any conventional construction and preferably of rectangular form, the position of the shaft 4 relative to the propeller 11, if the ship be of a steamer type, being such as to permit the rudder to pass by without the possibility of contact therewith and it is to be observed that each of the plates 10 is substantially entirely forward of the adjacent extremity of the hull or body 1.

As is clearly disclosed in the accompanying drawings, the rudder plates 10 have thein free extremities disposed in the same general direction relative to the rudder shafts whereby it will be perceived that the course of the boat may be determined with convenience and facility from a single controlling station, irrespective of the fact that the boat is traveling bow first or stern first; and it will also be obvious that by this arrangement an effective means is afforded to prevent the boat from being swung out of its course by the action of the wind.

As herein disclosed, the upper extremity of each of the rudder shafts 4 is operatively connected, as at 12, through the medium of suitable intermeshing beveled gears with an operating shaft 14 and having that portion thereof directed through the sides of the hull or body 1 disposed through suitable stufiing boxes 15 in order to prevent leakage Within the body or hull 1; and in order to maintain such operating shaft 14 against endwise movement, I find it of advantage to affix thereto at opposite sides of the boxes 15, the collars 16 hereindisclosed as maintained in fixed position upon such shaft through the medium of conventional set or binding screws 17. I also find it of advantage to support the projected portions of the operating shaft 14 by the bearing members 18 herein disclosed as positioned on the upper extremities of the arms 19 secured to and carried'by the-exterior portions of the upper rod 3. As the particular means whereby axialrotation is imparted to the operating "shaft 14 forms no part :of the present -in'ven v the oppositeisides of t e upper rod 3, i

, believed to be self-evident.

From the foregoing description, it is thought to be obvious that a steering mechanism for a ship constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention is of an extremely simple and comparatively inexpensive nature and is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility .with which the course of a ship may be controlled and maintained and it will al o the obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change and modification M without material departure from the principles andspirit thereof andfor this reason I, do not wish to be understood ;as limiting Copies of this patent may be obtained for myself to the precise arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shown in carrying .0111 any invention in practice.

I claim: In combination with the body of a ship,

of a steering means positioned at the bow and stern thereof below the water line, each of said steering means comprising spaced vertically alined rods operatively connected with the body and terminating at a point forwardly thereof, a vertically disposed rudder shaft rotatably supported by the free extremities of the rods, means for impart- .ing axial rotation to the rudder shaft, and

a rudder platecarried by the shaft and dis- ,posed between the rods, said rods being of ,such a length ,as to position the rudder plate substantially entirely in advance of the body, the free ends of the ,rudder plates being forwardly directed.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature in the presence of .two witnesses.

GUSTAV A. :HE'INZE. Witnesses:

T. .C. BnA-vnns, 1-1. It. ,PRIDGEILI.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, 110; 

